Spanning 80.4 miles across Connecticut, this highway-focused drive connects Uncasville to Norwalk in approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, it is best suited as a comfortable one-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend about $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a cost-effective way to traverse the Northeast region. Since 98% of your time will be spent on major interstates, the trip is designed for speed and utility rather than leisurely detours. If you are looking for a practical, direct path between these two points, this itinerary provides a reliable framework for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Uncasville, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
72 mi
1h 32m
I 395
6.5 mi
7m
East Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Palmertown Road
0.5 mi
1m
Oakdale Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Norwich-New London Turnpike
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 72 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Uncasville, CT and Norwalk, CT.
1
Start on CT 32
0.1 mi·23 sec·Norwich-New London Turnpike
2
Turn left onto CT 163
0.5 mi·1 min·Palmertown Road
3
Continue on CT 163
0.2 mi·45 sec·Oakdale Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
5
Merge onto I 395
6.5 mi·7 min·I 395
6
Merge onto I 95
72 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 16Toward East NorwalkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto East Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Avenue
9
Keep slight right at fork onto East Avenue
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Avenue
10
Continue on East Avenue
86 ft·1 sec·East Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 44-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because this is a direct, non-stop route with no mandatory pauses, consider fueling up in Uncasville before you depart to avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on I-95 can be unpredictable, so checking live updates before you merge onto the longest stretch of your drive is a smart move. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip at highway speeds, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained interstate cruising. Enjoy the simplicity of this short trek, which allows you to reach Norwalk without the need for complex route management.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.2 miles from Uncasville, CT, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norwalk, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Uncasville, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Uncasville, CT
This is one driving day of about 80.4 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Uncasville, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 72 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CT 163 / Palmertown Road
Turn left onto CT 163 / Palmertown Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
7.6 mi into trip|~10m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
79.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward East Norwalk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16
Toward East Norwalk
4
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|East Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto East Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.94 one way
$25.89 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$14.24
$28.48
premium
$4.86
$15.40
$30.79
diesel
$5.61
$17.75
$35.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
Efficient EV
20.1
0
$7.04
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Uncasville, CT
Late night
in Uncasville on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norwalk, CT
Late night
in Norwalk on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic interstate experience as you spend the vast majority of your trip on I-395 and I-95. The road is defined by its efficiency, featuring a significant 72-mile stretch of uninterrupted highway driving. While the journey is largely a high-speed grind, the final transition onto East Avenue offers a brief shift from the heavy flow of the interstate into a more local setting. You will find that the personality of this route remains consistent, prioritizing consistent pace over winding or technical terrain. Staying focused is key during the long highway segments, as the transition from the open road to your destination in Norwalk is relatively abrupt.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 395. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CT 163 / Palmertown Road.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 44m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CT 163 / Palmertown Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 80.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 72 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CT 163 / Palmertown Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Norwalk, CT before heading back.
